Samba de Amigo is unlike any game out there — not just in the music genre, but in the whole grand scheme of video game design. While Samba is easy to pick up and get lost in, it will challenge you if you ask it to.

Samba De Amigo is a welcome return to a Dreamcast classic, with tons of modes and content, as well as new songs for download. This game is well worth the price of admission. Only the bipolar difficulty and tricky IR sensitivity keep this from being the perfect Samba De Amigo experience.

Here is one of the most amusing games for Wii. It’s more colorful than the original version and has an amazing playlist, although the Wiimote is not so accurate has the maracas. In addition, we also have to complaint about the lack of an online mode. [Oct 2008]

Samba De Amigo is still a quality rhythm-action title even today and while it's best played in relatively short bursts in single player, it's the multiplayer that will keep you coming back for just one more go.

My family is still completely consumed with Samba De Amigo – and even spurred my wife into picking up a Dance Dance Revolution kit. We are having a ton of fun as a family, and feeling healthier for it – what more could you want as the winter months draw near?

A really good game for casual gamers. I showed it to some non-gamer friends this weekend and they had a blast just playing on easy. I had to practically rip the remotes out of their hands to get them to stop. But here in the IGN office, fans of the original Samba pick up the remotes, crank up the difficulty, and find the controls to be almost unworkable.

While some may pass this off as a quick and dirty cash-in on the part of Sega, the Wii is natural fit for Samba. Fans of the original game will dig the new content, while newcomers will enjoy the far more casual approach to rhythm gaming. If you can muscle your way past some of the control issues on the higher levels, you’ll find a great family title that’s enjoyable for both the kids and adults, which is rare.

Samba de Amigo returns again thanks to Wii in a game that inherits all the best of the original, while adding new options to adapt it to present needs. The control with the features works well but they are not absolutely precise. Furthermore the game is repetitive and so it is not at the same level of other musical games of this generation. Even so, thanks to the great number of ways of gaming and songs available, it will turn to reference all the nostalgia of the first version and also for the lovers of the latin rhythm.

If you're a hardcore gamer or have played the Dreamcast original to death then this has to be seen as a bitter disappointment; the imprecise controls on Hard will drive anyone looking to play the game at its most challenging level up the wall - the controls simply aren't accurate enough. For those looking for a casual bit of rhythm-based fun with friends though, Samba De Amigo is right up your street.

Overall this is not a game to take too seriously - but in a good way. Go with the carnival atmosphere, get some friends over, add some snacks and drinks and you are well on your way to a great evening in.

While control frustrations take the edge off the competitive element of the game, it’s still possible to have plenty of fun. Samba de Amigo is part rhythm game, part dancing game and part social game – you tend to feel more silly playing on your own than with others.

The big question is how the Wii remote controls work in replacement of the old maracas. Sadly, many enthusiasts will be frustrated. While the functionality is okay, the faster movements required on the higher difficulties frequently don’t register as you switch between notes – resulting in failures you don’t deserve. It cripples what is otherwise a fun return to maraca-shaking goodness.

Apart from the obvious fact that party games have moved on an awful lot since Samba De Amigo first appeared, there's no denying that the control system just doesn't quite translate as well as it might have - and that can only hurt its appeal in the long run.

With a game like Samba de Amigo you expect some maracas, but instead you’re playing with your Wii-mote. Add somewhat disappointing graphics and you'll get a game that you only want to play if you have some friends over. Drunken friends that is.

If you are the kind of gamer who likes to learn song layouts, practices all the way to Carnegie Hall, and then uploads a video of a brilliant high score to YouTube, then this one is probably not for you as it will only madden you in the long run.

As polished and as faithful to the source material as Samba de Amigo is aesthetically, the lasting impression is of a missed opportunity. A tighter game would have made a massive difference, though the essence of the license is so strong that an impulsive purchase won’t be a complete mistake - especially if a games party is on the agenda.

Samba de Amigo was originally released for the Dreamcast and has now made it's way to the Wii. With a maracas in each hand your challenge is to shake to the beat as best you can. The motion sensing abilities of the Wiimote does unfortunately present itself as an obstacle to the experience. On higher difficulty levels it makes the game almost unplayable. As is, this a decent party game at best.

Sadly I missed out on the original. We didn't own a Dreamcast. But I loved the concept and was thrilled when they made a reboot for theSadly I missed out on the original. We didn't own a Dreamcast. But I loved the concept and was thrilled when they made a reboot for the Wii. And I love every second of it. The controls, admittingly, can be a little finicky at times. But I only failed a song in career mode once, and that was my entire time with the game, from easy to super hard mode. So I tend to believe that reviews stating the contrary are a tad hyperbolic. This game is a winner! Infectious music, colorful graphics and a great premise. Amigo is my amigo.…Full Review »

StevenW

Dec 25, 2008

10

Great game, easily matches up to the one on the dreamcast. the controls are easy to pick up, it doesn't take long to master the maraca Great game, easily matches up to the one on the dreamcast. the controls are easy to pick up, it doesn't take long to master the maraca positions. fun from the start and something anyone can play. great choice of fun music, would be great for parties, its still the happiest game in the world.…Full Review »

VoltaireT.

Nov 9, 2008

9

The controls works great, but require a lot of practice to master. Non-gamers can easily engoy EASY and NORMAL modes, but the HARD and The controls works great, but require a lot of practice to master. Non-gamers can easily engoy EASY and NORMAL modes, but the HARD and SUPERHARD modes require a lot of patience. It your willing to learn, youll have a blast playing through the game, if not, enjoy th easy and normal modes. All in all, its a grewat game. Online leaderboards, downloadable content, its a blast with friends. And its only $40.…Full Review »